Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - The RIAA is at it again-sueing college and 3rd graders

Josht · 16th May 2007

For people who want to know what the business model is that will work, I don't think anybody strictly has the answer yet, I think people have ideas, but until people actually try it out, and make something work, they don't really know. If I did think I knew the answer I would have started my own damn record label and tried it out.

Coming from someone who is a devout market capitalist, I think there is no way for the music industry to continue as is. Ever since the "content" has become separated from the transfer medium, they have lost most of their control over making money off of the sample medium. Instead, make money from the content itself. People will continue to buy CDs and online music, but in the grand scheme of things, its very difficult to compete with free when technology has kept the possessors of the IP unable to control its delivery.

What are the answers? I would say, make quality music, look for alternate outlets, like licensing deals, internet radio (a whole other bag of worms) etc, and playing live. The "industry" (if you will still be able to call it that in the next 15 yrs) will always be a place where people making quality music can make a living. I honestly think that illegal music downloading will not really directly hurt too many artists (even if I use the term loosely) in the long run, since when have many of them really seen a ton of money from album sales.

Music distribution will likely be re-oriented towards smaller labels with more direct artistic control and better returns for the artist, and they will find new ways to get their music to the consumer.

Without sounding too hippy, the music industry should embrace music lovers, and try and get people interested in music. That is the most insidious thing to me about these lawsuits, they are directed at college kids. College, is the place where people are the most adventurous in their tastes, where they try out new music, listen to new things, and see what they like. How many of you guys found some of your favorite music in college? So, in the end, I think having a vigorous P2P market for music creates more music lovers for the future.

16th May 2007	#122
Josht Gear nut Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Madison, WI/Seattle Posts: 98	For people who want to know what the business model is that will work, I don't think anybody strictly has the answer yet, I think people have ideas, but until people actually try it out, and make something work, they don't really know. If I did think I knew the answer I would have started my own damn record label and tried it out. Coming from someone who is a devout market capitalist, I think there is no way for the music industry to continue as is. Ever since the "content" has become separated from the transfer medium, they have lost most of their control over making money off of the sample medium. Instead, make money from the content itself. People will continue to buy CDs and online music, but in the grand scheme of things, its very difficult to compete with free when technology has kept the possessors of the IP unable to control its delivery. What are the answers? I would say, make quality music, look for alternate outlets, like licensing deals, internet radio (a whole other bag of worms) etc, and playing live. The "industry" (if you will still be able to call it that in the next 15 yrs) will always be a place where people making quality music can make a living. I honestly think that illegal music downloading will not really directly hurt too many artists (even if I use the term loosely) in the long run, since when have many of them really seen a ton of money from album sales. Music distribution will likely be re-oriented towards smaller labels with more direct artistic control and better returns for the artist, and they will find new ways to get their music to the consumer. Without sounding too hippy, the music industry should embrace music lovers, and try and get people interested in music. That is the most insidious thing to me about these lawsuits, they are directed at college kids. College, is the place where people are the most adventurous in their tastes, where they try out new music, listen to new things, and see what they like. How many of you guys found some of your favorite music in college? So, in the end, I think having a vigorous P2P market for music creates more music lovers for the future.